Solar Engineers

Chicago progressive post metal doom/gaze collective (that’s what it says here), Taken By The Sun, release their debut full-length next month. The album was recorded almost exclusively live at Electrical Audio (with track “Confessions Of An Opium Eater” recorded at Studio 54 Music Zone), engineered by Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room, all in Chicago.

The release encompasses a sprawling, eight-track, forty-two minute sonic journey. This is not your typical doom-fest with some fascinating ambient and post-rock sections starting many of the tracks before building up to the heavier elements. The dominant sound consists of the industry norm of heavy riffs and gravel-throated vocals however the addition of out of genre elements makes for fascinating listening. Comparisons can be made with the likes of Neurosis, Isis, Pelican, Rosetta, Mouth Of the Architect, Red Sparrowes, and The Ocean, but this band stands on its own merits. There are some very interesting passages of material to break up the intense stuff and this places this band in the one to watch category. Having said that the intense stuff is very, well, intense.

Formed in 2011, with the name of the band apparently representing decay and rebirth, Taken By The Sun is a Chicago metal band rooted within The Windy City’s venue-shaking, riff-worshipping doom and stoner metal traditions. Recorded live with only minimal additional overdubs, the album is faithful to both the earnestness and the magnitude of the band’s sound. The band comprises William Arroyo, Patrick Auclair, Justin Cape, Mark Cichra, and Kris Ziemlo.

Taken By The Sun will be released independently on February 24th via the groups’ Bandcamp Page.